20+ Family Activities for Winter Holidays in Belgium

Christmas break in Belgium is the perfect time for family activities. If you’re looking for what to do with the kids, you’ve come to the right place! There is something for everyone in Belgium, from the vibrant city of Brussels to the rolling hills of the Ardennes. In Brussels, make sure to visit the Grand-Place, the famous Manneken Pis statue, and the Atomium. For some shopping and fun, head to the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market or take the kids to Mini-Europe, where they can explore all of Europe in miniature! For a nature experience, head to the Ardennes, where you can explore caves, visit wildlife parks, or go hiking. There’s also plenty of winter sports, from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing and sledding. No matter what activities you choose, you’re sure to have a wonderful family time in Belgium during Christmas break. Read on for practical tips on spending the winter holidays in Belgium with kids

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Christmas Events

Brussels Christmas market

Winter wonders is one of the most impressive Christmas markets in Europe. Do not miss the light show at the Grand Place!

You will find practical tips for visiting with kids, photos, video, kids friendly restaurants near the Christmas market and a walking map in our comprehensive guide here

Bois de la Cambre – Wonder Woods

Every year Wonder Woods in Brussels takes place at Bois de la Cambre. In our guide you will find practical details on visiting Wonder Woods in Brussels with kids, photos and videos of the ice rink and the light installations

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Read carefully the section on whether it is worth visiting Wonder Woods this year (it can make for a fun afternoon if you have low expectations on ice skating, but there are no carousels this year, see the post for more details)

Hasselt Christmas market

Hasselt boasts a lovely Christmas market with lots of attractions for kids! A Ferris wheel, an ice rink, a giant slide and more Christmas-themed fun fair rides – and of course lots of stalls with gluhwein, waffles and tartiflettes! Read our guide on the Christmas market in Hasselt for practical tips on planning ahead your visit with kids

Christmas tractor parades

There are Christmas tractor parades in several towns in Belgium! Our kids love Christmas and tractors – so what better than to combine them? 🙂 Read our post on Christmas tractor parades in Belgium for practical details and events

Luxembourg Christmas market

Ok, so this is not in Belgium, but it is definitely one of the 10 best Christmas markets near Brussels! It is also so much fun to visit, ilke a mini fun fair. A Ferris wheel, carousels, dancing Christmas trees, a gorgeous ice rink (no ice rink in 2022!) and more fun rides for kids!

See more details in our guide on Luxembourg Christmas market with kids, practical tips to help you plan ahead your visit with the family, photos and a video

Christmas with kids in Belgium – All you need to know

If you are looking for more Christmas events in Belgium, then this post with Christmas family friendly brunches, concerts, puppet theater shows, meet Santa and more is for you

Temporary Events

Lightopia

We visited Lightopia in Brussels with our kids. We loved the light show at the Groot Bijgaarden castle! Read our guide on Lightopia to see what it’s like with photos and a video and for lots of practical tips to plan ahead your visit with kids

Spirit of the North

Spirit of the North is fun, interactive and a great addition to the Brussels Christmas market. Read our post on Spirit of the North for lots of practical tips to plan ahead your visit and for photos and a video to see what it’s like

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Even if you don’t go to Spirit of the North, don’t miss the chance to check the outdoor illuminated installations at Spirit of the North (there is no entrance fee for the outdoor part, but you need to pay to visit the indoor part)

Magnetic Flow

Magnetic Flow is an immersive light and sound experience in Brussels. Read our post with practical details on how to visit with kids, photos and a video to get an idea of what it’s like

Tip
This is not kids friendly per se, but our 3 year old loved it and couldn’t stop dancing! See the video in our post to get an idea of what it’s like

Great Art for Great Kids

When: 09.12.2022-30.01.2023 (open Thursday to Sunday)
See more details here
Find tickets here

Indoor Activities

Atomium

The Atomium is one of the most iconic symbols of Belgium. Here you will find practical tips to plan ahead your visit of Atomium with kids

Choco-story Brussels

If you find yourself in Brussels, the “Chocolate Capital of the World”, then you have to visit Choco-story right next to Manneken Pis. It is lots of fun end educative for kids. The highlight is the live demonstration with a master chocolatier

Train World

At Train World you can learn all about railway development at an old train station – it’s a fun place for kids that love trains too!

Lego Discovery Center

Take your family on a LEGO adventure at the Discovery Center in Brussels! Enjoy hours of fun that will make every little Lego lover happy. This is one of the most fun activities with kids in Belgium during winter holidays. Read our post on Lego Discovery Center for practical tips to plan ahead your family visit

De Stordeur

De Stordeur is the one of the most fun climbing halls near Brussels. It’s awesome for kids 4+ years old and one of the best activities with kids in Belgium during winter holidays

Arkose

Arkose offers primarily indoor wall climbing facilities for children and adults. It is a bouldering place, so there are no ropes holding the kid. There is also a restaurant and a store. There is also a sauna, a small rooftop and a studio with yoga and pilates classes

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt is an indoor family-friendly amusement park. Read on for practical tips to plan ahead your visit with kids, photos and a video to seee what it’s like

Plopsa Station Antwerp

Plopsa Station Antwerp is a fun place for younger kids in the heart of Antwerp

Chocolate Nation

Chocolate Nation is the largest museum in the world on Belgian chocolate offering a magical multimedia experience for kids and grown ups. This is one of the best museums we have visited and our kids thoroughly enjoyed it! It is definitely worth a visit when you are in Antwerp, as this is one of the best activities with kids in belgium during winter holidays

Ardennes

Grottes de Han

Grottes de Han is a huge domain with caves, wildlife park, playground, play structures along the path in the forest; a great experience for kids. This is a mainly outdoor activity so make sure to dress for the weather!

Animal Park La Roche-en-Ardenne

The Wildlife Park at La Roche-en-Ardenne is very small and it’s a great addition if you are planning to explore La Roche-en-Ardenne with its castle. See our post on the wildlife park here and our post on La Roche-en-Ardenne and the castle here

Durbuy

How to visit Durbuy and its most important sights with kids with practical tips to plan ahead your family visit

Enjoy the snow

Where to enjoy snow

The best snow spots in Belgium with your family are categorized into fun for kids, sledding, skiing, and hiking! + Where to stay around them with kids!

Hautes Fagnes

The highest point in Belgium and where it always snows – when it’s snowing in Belgium: Hautes Fagnes. Here are practical tips, kids friendly restaurants, playgrounds and activities to make the most out of your family visit at Hautes Fagnes

Val de Wanne

Val de Wanne is an activity center in the Ardennes, where kids can have lots of fun. There are different activties when it is snowing (like snow tube and sledding, see the video in our post!) and there are also activities when it’s not snowing – so this is fun no matter the weather

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